When God Isn't There
Why God Is Farther than You Think but Closer than You Dare Imagine
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Published: 2016
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Publisher's Description
Why does God feel so far away? Why is my worship so empty? Has God left me? David Bowden knows these questions firsthand, having wrestled for years with God’s apparent absence and studying what the Bible says about it. In this new book, Bowden tackles the subject head-on, finding the key to understanding it in the Bible’s depiction of a God who is infinitely far from us, free to move where he wants, but who chooses to come near in the person of Jesus. A resource of encouragement for those who struggle with feeling God’s absence and a wake-up call to those who take God’s presence for granted, When God Isn’t There will forever change your understanding of why God sometimes seems to vanish and how he can be found again. Praise for the work of When God Isn't There: “A must-read for anyone who’s felt far from God.” —Bobby Gruenewald, LifeChurch Innovation Leader and a founder of YouVersion “A masterful treatment of what it means to suffer the pain of God’s apparent absence and the inexpressible joy of feeling his presence.” —Sam Storms, lead pastor for Teaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church “David wrestles with theological concepts in a down-to-earth way.... Many will benefit from this very helpful book.” —Kyle Idleman, bestselling author of Not a Fan
Endorsements (10)
“PRAISE FOR WHEN GOD ISN’T THERE “Whether you’re preaching to a church or talking over a cup of coffee, God’s presence is an intimidating topic. When God Isn’t There will prove useful in either setting. I’ve worked with David before, and his talents as a spoken word poet serve him just as well in written form. He wrestles with theological concepts in a down-to-earth way. I believe many will benefit from this very helpful book.”
“I struggle to describe this book, not because it is incoherent (far from it) but because it is so richly diverse. It is saturated with Scripture, personal experience, analogies and metaphors drawn from every sphere of life, outrageously funny stories, illustrations that make complex truths meaningful, and, on top of it all, really good theology. David’s book has breathed new life into my favorite biblical text: ‘In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore’ (Ps. 16:11). Trust me, it’s a page-turner. And a life changer. Highly recommended!”
“Nothing debilitates us more than distance from God. When God Isn’t There weaves poetry and prose into an insightful exploration of God’s presence, revealing the enduring comfort we can find when we embrace his full nature. A gifted artist rooted in the truth and beauty of Scripture, David has created a must-read for anyone who’s felt far from God.”
“Some people fake the presence of God in their lives because secretly they want to fit in. But when they are alone they wonder, Where is God? Why do others seem to feel his presence and I do not? Whether you feel that now or have never felt it, David Bowden explores this important topic with honesty and poetic vision. When God Isn’t There will comfort you, deepening your understanding of God’s presence right now.”
“David Bowden’s When God Isn’t There is utterly praiseworthy. Every chapter amplifies the truth about the deep ache and joy that marks the life of a Christ follower. Bowden gives us a new language for communicating the tension between God’s holy presence and sometimes-painful absence. This book indeed reveals how God is farther than you think and closer than you dare to imagine.”
“Wycliffe USA’s work of Bible translation often brings us to places around the world where it feels as though God is absent because his Word is not available in the language people know and understand best. When God Isn’t There is a timely, insightful, and inspiring reminder that God is always present and always at work.”
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with David for several years, and he is an outstanding thinker and communicator. His passion for God’s Word, his command of the Scriptures, and his winsome life are assets God has at his disposal as he seeks to advance his kingdom and build Jesus Church here on earth! David’s transparency in addressing this age-old question for humanity will help all to better understand that God’s seeming absence absence is actually an invitation to seek him wholeheartedly and that in doing so one will find him.”
“Natalie, nails, idols, Mouse Trap, Proclaimer Boxes, pursuing the love of your life, Corvettes, goats, erasers, five-dollar bills, temple robbers. Absence, presence, darkness, suffering. Abraham, Moses, Job, Jonah, Jesus, Mother Teresa. In When God Isn’t There, Bowden weaves together the subjects above to paint a vivid picture of God’s seeming absence and real presence in our lives. Reading this little book reminded me that God’s presence is about God, not me. It made me contemplate that perhaps there are things in my life that I need to absent myself from to be more present with God. It reminded me that God is everywhere, not just in a church building on Sunday mornings. This book is a great reminder that we are created to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
Dr. Dudley Chancey
“A must-read for anyone who’s felt far from God.”
“David wrestles with theological concepts in a down-to-earth way. . . . Many will benefit from this very helpful book.”
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